• Flite Blog •

Ultimate Travel Gadget !

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:46:19 -0800

Bagage restrictions have hit all passengers worldwide. Luggage weight and dimensions have decreased across the board. Trying to weigh your suitcases and bags on your bathroom scale is more than a juggling act, incorrect and a surprise when bags are weighed on the airport scale at check-in. Why the hassle when a portable, light weight solution is available. Take your pick, digital or analog, the ultimate travel gadget, a must have for all travelers !

My favorite and personal pick: Balanzza Ergonomic Digital Compact Luggage Scale
Convenient selection from Amazon.com

Phone USA: 1 310 498 3112 Email: FAAPilotCoach@gmail.com Skype: Eur2Consultants

Uh Oh MOMENT

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:42:06 -0700

Oh Sh*T
 This is a real OH Sh-- moment !! His request approved, the Fox News photographer quickly used A cell phone to call the local airport to charter a flight.
  He was told a twin engine plane would be waiting for him at The airport.  Arriving at the airfield, he spotted a plane warming Up outside a  hanger. He jumped in with his bag, slammed the Door shut, and shouted,
  'Let's go.'
  The pilot taxied out, swung the plane into the wind and took off. Once in the air, the photographer instructed the pilot, 'Fly over the valley and make low passes so I can take Pictures of the fires on the hillsides.

 'Why?' asked the pilot.

 'Because I'm a photographer for Fox Cable News,' he Responded. 'And I need to get some close up shots.'

  The pilot was strangely silent for a moment. Finally he Stammered,

'So, what you're telling me is .... You're NOT my Flight instructor ??'

Airport Accident

Sat, 7 Feb 2009 21:08:41 -0800

Saturday morning around 8:45 am in the morning. Starting day at the office when the lights flickered. Got up to check fuses, but nothing unusual. Minutes later sirenes were blaring really close by. Walked outside to the street and couldn’t believe what I saw.
A perfect straight 4 lane road parallel to the runway and airport property. Some clown managed to ram through the airport fence, smashing an huge wooden live electric pole and just missing fuel station of jet kerosene. Walked over to a policeman closing down the road to ask what happened. High speed police chase ended abruptly next to the airport tower. Driver unlicensed and passenger safe just missing a body pierce.
A couple of feet farther and most likely would have blown up fuel station. With downed electric wires the field lost power to all taxi, runway, vasi and approach lighting. The tower was kicked to back-up battery power for rest of day. Airport closed at sunset due to electrical problem. A busy scheduled day for the flight school so calls were made to see if airport was still open. Airport operative and ready for action, Notams came online shortly after accident. Met customers at intersection because police wasn’t letting anyone through to our parking area. Gate badge does the trick and brought everyone inside airport gate to hangar. Hours later road was partially opened as electric company brought in the heavy equipment to fix damage. Well, interesting day at the office I must say. Unbelievable that no one was injured, their lucky day ! Check out the pole, part of fence, completely drilled the SUV. Exciting, thankfully not an aircraft, plenty of those down lately !

Flight-Check Owner

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:18:21 -0800

We switched to a C172 G1000 due to the weather that day. Cloud bases at minima at all airports where we planned approaches. ( KHHR - KLGB - KTOA ) Like the Lille, Merville, Valenciene flight we have done.

I thought that the C206 would be a little to fast for the first time in this new airspace, European weather with fast talking controllers.

Only 1 hour on the G1000 previously so I had trouble understanding what I was seeing. Thank God the owner/chief pilot had right seat for radio and helping me set up the Garmin Glass Cockpit.

My flying was pretty good but running behind on settings on G1000.
Received a CD and book to study, I’ll need it, cool system but need to get used to it.
All approaches where acceptable, some little high on glide. Biggest problem I was chasing the numbers on the screens in front of me. Landings were good, checklist
and all that stuff as you know. Flew 0.8 hrs of the 1.8 in the blind.

Chief pilot said I did well with all circumstances of that flight. New plane,  glass cockpit, ATC and European weather to minimas.
I wasn't to excited about my performance.
Most likely would have done much better with regular steam gauges in the aircraft.

Talked to a local FAA examiner and he told me to forget the Commercial and study all CFI information which is basically the same. Have to do the commercial written of course and he sees the practical exam as a pre-check for the CFI check. They want me to do the commercial maneuvers from the right seat to get used to it and explain as I perform them. Plenty of new books to go through !

Voila, last update, sorry no flight pxs, way to bussy to try to take them!!

P.S. In Europe I was the fastest GA Pilot on the radio, here I have no clue they are even talking to me ! Very bussy airspace, just beneath class B of LAX

DownTown LA Sunrise

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:50:40 -0800

Monday morning, the crack of dawn, around 6 am, terras view from our apartment in Los Angeles. First full day in our new home after our arrival last night in LAX. Difficult find in the dark without GPS and bad directions from apartment owner. At 10:30 pm local, last nite, my body switched into reserve mode and the necessary sleep was awaiting after a 32 hr day. Nine hour time change ( -8 Zulu time) so the common awakening in the early hours after about 6 hrs of sleep were scheduled. A couple more of these days until the jetlag and time change catches up with the body.

A full blown American breakfast at the famous “ Farmers Market “ in the “ Grove “ shopping mall was our kick start of the day. Next off to the Apple Store to see what I could do with my official unlocked iPhone since no international roaming service was set up from Europe. Not up for a two year contract as yet so decided to get a prepaid card to get me online.

Early afternoon after some grocery shopping , I headed off to Hawthorne airport ( KHHR ), Jack Northrop field. Took the scenic route, uh.... by accident, but made it on time. Had a nice chat and tour at Corsa Aviation with the president of the company and my first scheduled job solicitation.

Left a couple of hours later as the newest member of the staff ! Yep, I’m hired and CFI to be. Great people and a growing company so I see a future and possibilities. Have to start somewhere ;-)

Stay tuned for training to come, checkout flight by the owner real soon !

European Weather

Mon, 8 Dec 2008 00:39:03 -0800

Horrific flying weather for the last months ! Freezing cold weather, snow, rain and very low freezing levels. Been trying to plan a nice cross country night flight but has been postponed for months now. No VFR at night allowed in Europe so IFR was planned. Next problem. Lowest LOW airways to destination are between FL080 and FL100. Now we have to worry about freezing levels which on average were at about 4000 ft AGL. OK, turn on the heater and Pitot Heat but you don’t have me warm yet for a flight !!
No De-Icing equipment on the Mooney and not planning on taking on ice, flying IFR and at night ! Not even going to start about the landing and handling fees in Europe at night but most important finding a fuel truck willing to help us out !

Got an hour of training in a couple weeks ago but nothing really worthwhile blogging about. If the weather is due-able then our Mooney is booked. IFR weather was forecasted for this week, but saw a window this Monday. Just getting over a head cold that gave me hell last two weeks, hoping for quick lunch today with a French Pilot buddy.

Checked latest METAR & TAFS last night after closing down our restaurant and freaked when I saw fog rolling in. Well, latest weather in pictures above ( fog/cloud levels left, latest weather at field of departure right ) Limited IFR with levels below IFR minimas !

SoCal I'm Back

Sat, 6 Dec 2008 07:42:04 -0800

Well, years of planning and postponing, I’ve finally decided to go after my dream !
Yeah, Aviation, hobby as private pilot making the jump to commercial aviation.

After being self employed for the last 18 years in the restaurant business, I’m closing down shop on Tuesday 23 December 2008, ending another fiscal year. 2 Weeks to go !
Check restaurant website in 3 languages HERE !

18 January 2009 my family is departing the European mainland for an 11 hour flight back home to Southern California. Home, you say ?? Yes, I was brought up in the SoCal area and been back and forth every couple of years. Yearning for that sunshine, open mindedness and the aviation capital of the world.

Have quite a few contacts for possible jobs and ready to upgrade my licences to company standards. Multi-lingual, socially engaged, outgoing and a teacher pretty much all of my working career. Well, as a pilot mentor in aviation, but in my business a mentor and teacher to my crew. ( bus loads of them in last 18 years )

Now you know, Follow my training and job placement on my aviation blog, stay tuned !

Looking for a passionate CFI, Medivac or Commercial Pilot, download my resume HERE
Hey, I might have forgotten to get in touch with you! If I did, don’t hesitate to shoot me an email at: belfyer@gmail.com

Talk to you soon ! Tailwinds !

Check Online Store

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:35:19 -0800

Check out my Store at http://www.2dehands.be/winkel/xsqeeze/
RSS Feed : feed://www.2dehands.be/winkel/xsqeeze/rss.xml

Misc Retro advertising stuff, real estate, car, vespa, bike, misc. electric equipment due to move USA !

IFR Symbology

Mon, 6 Oct 2008 04:51:30 -0700

Test yourself on your IFR chart symbol knowledge. Download PDF HERE
Cover the answers and see how well you do !

AOPA Air Safety Foundation launches the accident case studies series HERE

Isle of Wight, UK Return

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 05:16:44 -0700

Enjoying a wonderful day on the island with friends, getting our coastal walk exercise with a typical lunch at “The Lifeboat View”. Basically scouted the south east section of the Isle of Wight. Late afternoon we called a taxi from the “The Pilot Boat Inn” do to the rain and headed back to the airport.
The flight plan was written up as follows: EGHJ DCT MID R8 DVR L10 RINTI B3 TRACA DCT EBKT - FL090. When arriving at the airport I asked to get fuel. Put my fluo yellow vest on and headed to the plane parked on the grass at parking Bravo. The truck pulled up and topped the tanks to about 20 gallons per wing. Only 44 liters in total, the guy have me an odd look. Sorry, but with a short airstrip ( ±800 meters ), three people plus baggage onboard, I wanted to get the plane of the ground. The gentleman did mentioned that my flight plan was denied. Huh, ok back up to the tower to see what the problem could be. The tower personel handed me my flight plan back with the error sheet from NATS. Flight Level errors, called to ask what was wrong. Should plan the flight higher. Responded with FL110, no FL090 will do ! Well that is what I filled in the first place, showing my flight plan to the tower personel. Oh, sorry sir , flight plan was put in at FL060. Can’t figure how they made a six out of my nine. I know I have doctors writing, but this was clear. While at it, bump plan up by a half an hour. Earlier at the airport due to the rain. Should have asked for my clearance straight away but didn’t realize I was handed off to London info after departure. Airport is underlying class G airspace or uncontrolled. Took the first inch of the runway I could, powered up to about 2000 rpm on brakes and released for a short field take off with yoke in stomach, ready for ground effect. Basically VFR departure with immediate call to London to activate my IFR flight plan. Given a squawk code and told to climb to FL050 direct SFC VOR. With light rain and low cloud base we were in the clouds in a flash and off to Seaford VOR. Used the autopilot for heading but trimmed manually for a 500 ft/min. climb. Quite turbulent but managed with passengers really silent. After a couple more frequency hand offs and squawk changes finally IFR and cleared to climb to FL090. At SFC direct TRACA waypoint for another long haul across the North Sea. Finally VFR on top at about FL080, so I was in the soup for quite a while. About half way to waypoint the French took over and handed off to Lille Approach. Com 1 was sputtering and I couldn’t completely hear the call. Responded with direct OKT, came back with negative KOK. Now you know why I thought I was getting a direct. Read you 2 on radio with call coming in and out.
About five minutes later Lille came back direct OKT after TRACA. Now that’s better, direct NDB at my destination. Requested a gradual descent about 40 nm out and granted by controllers. After checking the ATIS at Lille, closest to our field. Runway 06 in use and tracked NDB until field in sight, 180º turn to join left downwind. Weather was way worse, low clouds and only about 3 nm sight, not the CAVOK the ATIS mentioned. Sun was low and didn’t help much either. Radio was breaking up again and finally switched to COM 2.
Landed and taxied to the APRON and headed to customs again and back to hangar.
Finished up paperwork and cleaned up aircraft. Lots of grass due to the wet grass that stuck to our shoes at Bembridge ! As a single pilot, actual IFR I must say I pushed my limits on this adventurous flight. Be prepared for everything and anything. Our flight plan went up in smoke twice. 3.5 hrs of flight both ways and 1.7 actual IFR !

All Pxs of the day HERE

Isle of Wight, UK

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 02:20:59 -0700

A friend of mine was determined to go to the UK, so we set out to plan a flight for this day. Checked different fields in an aceptable range with low landing and fuel fees.
We ended with Bembridge on the Isle of Wight in the UK. The flight plan was written up as follows: EBKT DCT TRACA B3 RINTI L10 DVR R8 MID DCT EGHJ - FL100
The necessary “ General Aviation Report “ was filled out with Crew and Passenger details. Signed and faxed off to the UK Customs & Excise 24 hrs before our departure.
Called EuroControl to file my flight plan and got back two errors. First of all, our Mooney is an M20J model which has no listing. Second my first waypoint is in France, but we were departing from Belgium. The lower airways from Belgium are a detour and would put me over the North Sea quite a bit longer. Anyway, the gentleman adjusted to M20T and forced the first waypoint into the computer. All set for our 10 am local time departure.

A chilly morning with a cloud base of about 1500 ft. Latest weather confirmed this with tops at 6500 ft. Our destination had cloud base of 2000 ft and getting better. No instrument procedures at Bembridge, so a visual approach was a must. Still a little worried about coastal fog but nearest fields had no mention of it. Just in case my alternate airport EGHH Bournemouth, Uk had two instrument approaches. Abeam, a flying buddy of mine, mentioned not to take EGHI Southampton, Uk as alternate due to high landing fees and unfriendly general aviation airport. It was 10 nm closer though !

While waiting a half an hour for the owner to bring the aircraft logs and insurance papers I started a complete pre-flight check, set up headsets and kneeboard with approach plates in order I’d need them. Folded the IFR & VFR maps to routing. Put my transceiver hot standby in back of my seat. Life vest onboard, just need to add some more fuel.

Started up a taxied to the fuel station and then off to customs with my two passengers.
After a long taxi to runway 06, a thorough run-up, set up com. frequencies, gps and vor.

Airborne 10:10 am ( 08:10 UTC ) flight plan activated and off to TRACA ( 46,9 nm ) our first waypoint with a 20 minute climb to FL100. Plane climbed nicely as I increased the manifold pressure by an inch for every 1000 ft until full power. Blew thru the cloud tops at about FL070 and turned of pitot heat after checking outside temperature. Autopilot now fully engaged to hold altitude as wel. I was just using it for heading and trimmed for 500 ft climb a minute. At TRACA, the first surprise came and I was routed direct to Bembridge.
It’s going to be a really long crossing now above the Channel. Basically from Calais, France North West over the North Sea to our destination. Having trouble with the Trimble GPS couldn’t seem to set the airport with a direct command. After playing with it a couple of minutes I got out my cheat sheet and tapped through the functions to get it set. Used to the ease of the Garmins this unit onboard had many in-logical entries.
To much navigating and tapping buttons for a simple direct to command. Surprised Lille Approach didn’t get back to me and ask when I was planning to go direct.

Still breaking in our new engine on our Mooney the owner had asked me to bring RPM to 2700 for 2 minutes and back to 2200 for another 2 minutes after bringing mixture up every 20 minutes our so. Odd feeling, strange configuration then back to regular cruise settings of 23-2400 with mixture leaned again.

VFR on top all the way, absolutely nothing except white cotton candy below us. The tops ahead of us were rising and asked London to start our descent about 40 nm out. Cleared to FL070 at first and in the clouds dropping at about 500 ft/min. Then surprise two, Continue descent and switch to Bembridge radio. Replied with negative, no radar on board and no clue what and who was around me, in the blind now Sir ! Stuck with him until we pulled out of the clouds at about FL040 with island in site. Switched to Bembridge after coming visual. Runway 30 active with a nice cross-wind from the right.
Continuing our slow descent I was to high to join base to final. Decided to circle the island and join right downwind avoiding the towns below. Base above the water and final to one of the most interesting and nerve racking finals I’ve ever flown. With only 830 meters and an upslope runway, the visual clues were incorrect. Approaching over the high cliffs to very high trees over a power line and a dive for the first quarter of the runway. After the power line I basically idled the aircraft cause I was still at 600 ft. and looked like just above beginning of runway. Should of slipped the plane but I did make the runway with a positive landing fighting the gusting crosswinds. Down safe and rolling out to about the end of the runway. Backtrack and to parking bravo on the grass.
With tailwinds we made the 200 nm trip in about 1:25 hrs making about 160 kts ground speed.

Check Isle of Wight, UK - Return for more ! All Pxs of the day HERE

Complete Make-Over

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:17:13 -0700

After the flight, last weekend, with Dr. Feelgood and his honeys I mentioned that the plane and hangar were no invite to go flying. Offended at first but slowly seeing that I was right. I offered to clean the plane and hangar. Pulled out our agendas and decided on this day, Tuesday morning at 9 am. The previous day I had gathered micro fibre sponges, washing cloths, gardening hose, high pressure cleaner, extension cords, vacuum cleaner, buckets and all the mild cleaning products I had in the house. The Rolls Royce pulled up at the restaurant, Dr. brought his gardener to help out too, nice, three of us then. Armed with one bucket and two sponges, not sure what he planned to clean ! Surprised at all of the equipment I was loading into his trunk, he kept saying “ ah, we don’t need that !” Ignoring his pleas all of it made it on board.
OO-VHB, a Piper Arrow 4 T-Tail is hangared next to the tower at EBKT. Sturdy white metal hangars until opening the automatic sliding door. Then you enter a gray dust web filled hangar with a gray n yellow aircraft. Wasn’t it white n yellow ? Well you get my drift, a make-over is way past due ! Hours later we finished the aircraft, amazed at the filthy black water we were stepping in. We pulled the plane outside and time to take the hangar for a wash down. This is were the high pressure cleaner came in. Anyway the plane and hangar are white again and web ridden. Only thing missing ? A red carpet from the hangar door to the right wing of the aircraft ;-)

QUESTION: What products do you use to clean and wax your aircraft ?
I was afraid to use aggressive cleaners to de-grease and de-tar plane.
Feedback appreciated, leave comments below or email me !

I’m off to the Ilse of Wight, UK on a IFR flight Wednesday, check back for story !

Mooney Checkride

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 06:53:25 -0700

Six months have passed since I flew the beloved Mooney M20J. Time to get my log books up to par. Met the owner for a test flight at Qualiflight, EBKT where the plane has hanged out for the last half year. Pre-cautions taken with the new engine for start-up, only 3 seconds on the boost pump. Very lean taxi, Lower run-up rpm’s, 1800 instead of 2000 rpm. Take off same and cruise back to 23 - 24. A 500 ft per minute descent max to avoid shock cooling the engine. This is the hard part, Mooney’s don’t like to slow down. A very well timed descent is necessary to get the plane below 130 kts in the pattern to extend the gears. Handled very wel on the ground during taxi, less nose heavy giving that lighter feeling on the nose wheel with less shimmy.

Took er up and explored the envelope with high bank turns, stalls, slow flight and the necessary touch and go’s. The Mooney still has it’s Space Shuttle landing profile which I luv. The nice landings proved that I still had the touch months after the last flight.
The owner agreed, looking over with a smile.

I’m off to the Ilse of Wight, UK on a IFR flight Wednesday, check back for story !

MyTransponder

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:56:31 -0700

Meet new aviation friends here at MyTransponder ! Site is still in Beta with over 450 members since start-up in July 2008. Great place to meet other pilots from around the world ! Share, pictures, blogs, links, ideas, interest, hangar talk and lots more coming !

Thanx Abeam for the invite ;-)

Dr. Feelgood Sundays

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 06:20:50 -0700

Dr Feelgood just passed his latest bianual at the young age of 75 and was ready for a luncheon with some great company. Sunday morning, a beautiful clear sky day as the doorbell rings. Awaiting their arrival I open the door and see Dr. smiling in his pilot uniform I bought him a while back ;-) Two ladies eagerly awaiting our departure in the back seat of his Rolls Royce. Minutes later of we were off to Kortrijk airport ( EBKT ).
Escorted the ladies to the Terminal lounge as we head to the flight planning room under the tower. Faxed our Flight plans for the day and made our way to the hangar. Started our pre-flight checks as the Dr. was trying to hurry me along. Disregarding his cues, I continued my checks until I was satisfied. Pushed the Piper outside and started the plane with a short taxi to the fuel station. 20 gallons in left wing and a couple of drops in the right ! Who flew this last ? Bad fuel management and weight balance. Anyhow, topped the wings to 30 gallons each. Meanwhile Dr was ushering the ladies to their places.
A short emergency brief and a little help with their seat-belts and we were ready for start-up. Called tower and was told no flight plan was received. I asked the gentleman to confirm with Brussels where we faxed our info about 45 minutes ago. None received and new one filed. What a load, I think Brussels has a trash-can under their fax machine.
We received a sent and completed slip from the fax ! This isn’t the first time either.
Dr. Feelgood takes the captains seat as I settle in right. I take the communication, navigation and help him out with the check-lists. A long taxi to runway 06, run-up and off we were to the coastal city of Le Touquet, France ( LFAT ). Direct flight via BNE VOR.
Uneventful until four micro lights buss our aircraft at 2000 ft. Just checking my maps for next frequencies as I glanced up to see two right and two left of us. No transponders on these light aircraft so Lille Approach couldn’t tell us about their positions. I called Lille and gave them the info. Lot’s of aircraft converging to Le Touquet from Belgium, France and UK. At BNE VOR Lille handed us to Le Touquet Tower. Reporting our position I received a squack code. Ah, they finally have radar, much needed in this bussy airspace.
Told to continue our path, and join right base for runway 32. Number two for landing.
Number one left base to final. Another micro light, time to slow down quickly as we closed on the aircraft fast ! Dr. disregarding my pleas continued his high speed approach. The micro light got down quick and expedited his exit. Missing first two exits due to his high speed landing. Taxied back to apron in front of the tower as the marshal on his bike lead us into our parking spot. After dis-embarking the first souvenir fotos taken. Headed out and waited for our taxi to whisk us to downtown. An eight course meal at Le Village Suisse , great food but to much, Dr Feelgood has out done himself again.
One aperitif for me then water as I do have the return leg of the flight. Hours later we strolled to the Wesminter Hotel **** for a cup of coffee on the sun bathed terras, our rendez-vous point for the taxi. Back at the airport I walk to our plane nestled between the hundreds of GA aircraft that arrived after our landing. Pre-flight and whip out my portable transceiver to call tower for start-up. Again, no flight plan received !! Got everyone out of the plane again and took our original plan and walked back to the office. Re-filed and headed back. Called tower again and asked him to give us a call as soon as it was active. About 30 minutes later after original call we received our start-up clearance. Taxied to runway 32 did necessary checks and departed towards North Sea. This leg was not planned to be direct. A nice detour but gorgeous views. Flew parallel coastline past Bologne Sur Mer, Wimereux, Cap Blanc, Cap Grenez, Calais and to the KOK VOR abeam the Belgian coastal air force base. From there we headed to MAK NDB passing Diksmuide, Tielt to Deinze and back to Kortrijk via the main road from Ghent to Kortrijk.
Passing one of the ladies houses we 360 for a couple of pictures. Localizer established at 10 DME for RWY 24 abeam my restaurant in Waregem. Runway 06 active this afternoon so circle to land was required. Kortrijk radio mentioned that an aircraft had just departed my way and watch out for traffic. Negative on traffic due to looking straight into the sun. Told traffic I was turning 10º to right off of centerline and he did same. Never did see the plane but caution is required in this non-controlled airspace. Finally spotted field and joined a close downwind keeping field visual for a smooth approach to runway 06.
Dr Feelgood had made a great landing as well, floating quite a way down the runway in France. He betted with the ladies that I couldn’t due better than his landing. First option is always to make a safe landing since everyone is different due to weather conditions.
Well I did take the challenge and kissed the runway ever so softly blowing his landing away by far. Experience, slow smooth descent and approach with a off course some luck as well ;-) After locking down aircraft, paperwork we speed away back to Waregem. Running late due to unforeseen delays I had to be back fast and switch uniforms from pilot to chef ! Next flight is scheduled later this week back in the Mooney after it’s six month stay in the mechanic shop. Training flight to get my books op to par to officially take passengers again ! Stay tuned !

Mooney Inauguration

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 05:33:05 -0700

Time has flown by. Our beloved aircraft is back online after more than five months in the shop. Brand new from firewall forward. The owner and mechanics proudly displaced their hours of dedicated hard work and answered all our questions. Brand new Lycoming engine with a new light weight starter and alternator. Brand new shock absorbers, 11 rubber cylinders put the plane up higher than it used to be. More than 2.5 kg of unnecessary insulation removed from engine cowling. Flight test are underway with first check after 10 hours of flight. The mineral oil will be removed and checked for metal residues and replaced with the synthetic oil it normally uses. A couple of minor details will be taken care at that time as well under which connecting the ram air lever. The new weight and balance will be finalized and paperwork complete.

Yesterday afternoon the owner asked us to join him at the airport for a celebration drink.
Both mechanics were present for our odd questions. The 4 active pilots and a couple new ones ready to join ship with the Mooney M20J. Our famous Air France instructor couldn’t make it due to tight training schedule and terrible weather the previous days.
Glasses of bubbles and lot of great chat with the friends we hadn’t seen in a while.
It was a multi-lingual happening, Dutch, English and French seemed to be mixed into a new language. Every time I turned to someone else the languages switched !

Most important part, when can I fly it and what is the new hourly price ?
Answer: very soon and satisfied price hasn’t gone up much considering the price hike of AVGAS fuel here in Europe.

Tuesday or Wednesday is my appointment with the owner to shoot a couple touch and go’s, get the feeling of new suspension, engine and less nose heavy aircraft of when.
Can’t wait to get back in the sadel, been way to long.

My commercial training has been moved up by six months but I’m ready for that long night cross country required for the commercial ticket. Training will commence asap.

Tomorrow I’m safety pilot for Dr. Feelgood and his honeys, check back for that fun story !

PanAmerican

Fri, 5 Sep 2008 06:22:53 -0700

Check a great slideshow from a retired PanAm Captain
I had the honor to meet ! Enjoy the nostalgia !
Slideshow HERE

Cessna 150 ( Reims F-150-J) For Sale !

Thu, 29 May 2008 07:38:58 -0700

Cash and Carry bargain price: € 13.750 (no VAT)

Year: 1968
S.N: 0423
Frame
White with green and yellow stripes
Reims Cessna anticorrosion Zinc Chromate coated
Total Time: 19.123 hours
Time since general overhaul: 3.454 hours
Engine
Total Time: 2.355 hours (overhauled in May 2002, can run on condition until 2.592
hours or till June 2014).
Propeller
Total time: 4.202 hours
Time since overhaul: 233 hours
Avionics
Nav-Com: Bendix-King KX 155
Pilot and co-pilot PTT
VOR + Localizer Indicator
Transponder: Bendix-King KT 76A (mode C)
ADF: ARC
Intercom: Panel mounted David Clarck
Options
Leather interior
Green tinted windows
Always hangared
Well kept maintenance by JAA & FAA approved workshop: “Recalair”
All AD’s, SB’s …updated, complied and done.

Priced to sell very quickly!
Kortrijk Flying Club Vzw
Luchthavenstraat 1/5
B - 8560 WEVELGEM
Tel.: 00-32-(0)56/35.77.17
Fax: 00-32-(0)56/37.05.57
e-mail: luc@joy.be
www.kfc.be

Luxemburg, the Money City !

Wed, 21 May 2008 07:16:53 -0700

Unexpected telephone call from my flight buddy on Tuesday wondering if I cared to join him on a IFR flight to Luxemburg. Since I’m off on Wednesdays, I did not hesitate.
We both looked for two more passengers for further flite sharing but only the two of us made it the next day. Now that I think of it , I did forget to make one call ! Hard to find people on weekdays anyway. The person I forgot, you know who you are ;-) sorry !
Departure at 13:00 hrs local time, -2 Zulu. Steven did the leg to and I flew the return.
FL090 was called for with the following IFR route: EBKT-MAK-LNO-DIK-ELLX.
VFR on top from about 4000 ft with a great white layer of cotton candy beneath us.
Yes, WE did see the sun that day. Brussels did give us a small shortcut direct LNO VOR.
With easterly winds, cross-headwinds to Luxemburg. In cruise the Piper Archer pulled a 100 kts ground speed. Two pilots, our gear and full tanks prior departure. Brussels did ask us to continue climb to FL110 due to traffic but we responded with a negative. 30º turn to the right did the trick too. Vectors to the ILS 06 at ELLX. A nice uneventful two hour flight, with a pick-nick lunch and some refreshments for on route.
Stewardess in back but we forgot to blow her up ;-)
After short taxi to P6, the general aviation parking we wondered how we could get off the field. Oddly LUX only has an approach and tower frequency, no ground. Called the tower back wondering who to call us and pick us up from this position. Came back with a frequency of the LUX-AIR ground handling. Called these nice people and a black Audi A8 was ready to whisk us away. Short ride to the handling agent who called us a taxi while filling in the necessary paperwork. About a 10 minute ride to downtown Luxemburg.
Count on about 30 to 35 euros one way. Without us knowing it , that morning a brand new passenger terminal opened for international travelers. Lux-Air has its hub there, and plenty of cargo going in and out of the field. 747’s are no problem with its 4 km runway.
We headed for the tourist office for a map of the city. More info at : www.lcto.lu
Plenty of museums and places of interest in walking distance from the center of town.
Perfect locale for a city trip ! We enjoyed our afternoon chatting on a terras of one of the local pubs. Sun was in and out of the clouds, but the many multi-lingual people made the stay worthwhile. French, English, Dutch and a local dialect seemed very common.
With all the international banks there, plenty of business and money flowing in Luxemburg or little Switzerland. Had to be back in Kortrijk, Belgium before sunset, which is 21:00 hrs local. Back with a cab to the airport around 18:00 hrs for a departure planned an hour later. Payed the handling and landing fees which were only 18 euros.
Not a bad deal for this 5 star service. Most of the airports I go to ask double for basically nothing. IFR flight plan for the return, the same but the other way. SID DIK2T with a direct CIV and direct EBKT was actually given to us by ATC. About 1:36 hrs. on the hobbs for the return. Climb to FL080 but half way I needed to climb to FL090 due to cloud tops rising. Didn’t feel like flying another 45 minutes inside the clouds without an autopilot on board. YES, this flight was done by hand. About 15 nm from our home field Brussels told me to contact Kortrijk Radio. Kortrijk is a non controlled airfield in class G airspace. Being very hazy and flying into the sun, our visability was bad. Replied with a negative in which Brussels replied that no traffic was reported in our area. Back at about 3000 ft by then we switched and flew the last minutes visual, direct OKT and circle to land runway 06. Taxied back to our parking spot, locked down aircraft after completing all the log books. If you’re still debating, YES, an IFR license is worth gold.
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Mentor LOC Training

Sat, 17 May 2008 08:54:10 -0700

Steven was to take our newest plane to Calais, France on Sunday. Open door night at the Z.A.C. (Zoute Aviation Club) Opening their renewed clubhouse after a pyromaniac set fire to it last year.
After opening speech of de minister we headed to the Piper Archer for an hour of training. Three full procedure localizer approaches with circle to land. I mentored Steven and took in the right seat, hot stand-bye. Vor’s, loc and glide slope were erratic on my birthday fly-out. Everything seemed to be ok today, must have been due to weather ?
Third one was the best, but all of them were quite good if you ask me. Great new IFR pilot. Looking for a safety pilot, drop me an email at: belflyer@gmail.com